“If you are a victim of a crime, with a case pending before this court, you are advised that you have rights under Arizona law that, among others, include the right to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity…”

That is the beginning of a statement that all Superior Court judges in Arizona would be required to make at the daily commencement of all criminal proceedings if S1222 is enacted.

Sponsored by Sen. Bill Brotherton Jr., D-Dist. 14, and backed by Attorney General Terry Goddard and various crime victim advocate groups, the bill was described as a finishing touch to Victims’ Bill of Rights legislation passed a decade ago.

“This brings some equity and parity between the constitutional rights of victims and the constitutional rights of the accused,” Mr. Brotherton said at a Jan. 27 news conference.

Mr. Goddard said, “Too many people don’t know about their rights. Too many are caught up in a confusing system of criminal justice and don’t know which way to turn.”

Dan Levey, Governor Napolitano’s adviser on crime victims, said the legislation will help crime victims answer the question: “When will the judge read my rights?”

He said Arizona will become the third state to declare victims’ rights in open court if the bill passes.

The rest of the proposed declaration says crime victims have rights “to a speedy trial, to be present at court proceedings, to choose whether or not to be interviewed by the defendant or the defendant’s attorney, to be heard before the court makes a decision on release, negotiation of a plea, scheduling and sentencing and to receive restitution from a person who is convicted of causing your loss.”

S1222 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. —